TDA Check-In: Away Koh Kood, part of the Centara Boutique Collection
By Mark Elliott
Tucked away in the southeast corner of Thailand lies one of the most idyllic islands the country has to offer; Koh Kood. While being one of the largest islands in the Koh Chang National Marine Park, Koh Kood’s remote location, lying 82km off the coast of mainland Thailand, has helped it develop at its own pace. This lends it a quality that is seldom found nowadays – an island steeped in natural beauty, with the picture-postcard powder beaches and shallow turquoise waters, but also with level of service and class that elevates it above many of Thailand’s more far-flung beach destinations. In short, Koh Kood offers a high-end slice of unspoiled paradise, and nowhere epitomises this better than the Away Koh Kood, part of Centara’s Boutique Collection.
Getting to the Away Koh Kood is a pleasure in itself. The two-hour speedboat journey takes you on a trip past the palm-fringed islands of the marine park, with each stretch of sandy beach seemingly more beautiful than the last. On arrival at the resort, the hotel’s superb staff are immediately on hand to help you on to the jetty and create a wonderful first impression that stays with you throughout.
Like everything on Koh Kood, the Away resort is low-rise and in keeping with its surroundings. While the 33 bungalows appear to melt into the surrounding palm trees, they are remarkably spacious, with a main bedroom area, front porch with deckchairs, large dining terrace, bathroom and a large semi-outdoor shower area. All bungalows offer uninterrupted views of the Gulf of Thailand and its stunning sunsets.
The combination of rustic charm and luxury facilities extends through all areas if the resort. The Escape Restaurant & Bar features a stilted wooden terrace overlooking the Gulf, and offers a menu of high quality Thai and Western dishes. There are also nightly seafood barbeques.
With the sea playing such an integral part of this resort, the watersports facilities are extensive. The incredibly helpful Khun Andy at the dive shop, known appropriately as ‘The Hub’, organises dives trips to surrounding islands, as well as instructor courses. Guests can also partake in snorkelling, kayaking, sightseeing tours and fishing trips. Or, if that all sounds a bit too much like hard work, you can just lie on the beach, by the brand new swimming pool, or in a hammock, and take in the tropical surroundings.
Koh Kood is a wonderful example of how an island should be developed – slowly, carefully, and in keeping with its environment. Away Koh Kood meanwhile, offers a similar shining example of how a resort should be managed – aiming for the highest standards, but not losing that personal touch. With more developments on the cards, including a range of luxury pool villas, the Away Koh Kood is poised to bring this remote island to the forefront of Thailand’s island scene.
BOOK THE AWAY KOH KOOD
Tel: +66 (0) 8 1835 4517
Email: csakk@chr.co.th
bookingakk@chr.co.th
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